The New Jersey-raised Paul Shaw is steeped in the drumming arts. He started playing aged five, powered the bands of both the US Marines and the US Air Force and has a long list of session, gig and teaching credits. This debut own-name CD finds him in the fast company of New York’s second string on a set of originals that deliver strong moods, interesting structures and harmonic and/or rhythmic twists.

Shaw’s drumming style is no-nonsense in-the-pocket contemporary mainstream modern jazz that moves effortlessly from Blue Note swing and Latin jazz to the contemporary clacks and rattles of R&B. And his compositions are equally astute. The title track prowls along over a medium groove before tension builds on the bridge, a short press roll announces the modal pedal-points of ‘Heartland,’ the opener, and ‘Shapeshifter’ does that. ‘Song for Everyone’ is elegiac, ‘Mary Oliver’ a lovely ballad and the cheeky theme of ‘Peekaboo’ nips along at speed. Each song is a little gem, and the band relish every note.

Trumpeter Alex Sipiagin and the lesser-known guitarist Brad Shepik harmonise sweetly in the front line, Gary Versace on piano is a box of tricks and Drew Gress delivers double bass resonance underneath. The set closes with the funky modality of ‘Showdown’ and orchestrated drum breaks that are as tight as a nut. Great grooves and gripping solos from first to last.